A call for the modernization of the agricultural sector

On March 27, 2025, at the Mauritius Cooperative Agricultural Federation Ltd (MCAF) branch in Saint-Pierre, the Minister of Industry, SMEs and Cooperatives, Sayed Muhammad Aadil Ameer Meea, reaffirmed Mauritius’ commitment to agricultural cooperatives.

This statement took place during an exhibition dedicated to the promotion of agricultural inputs and seedlings, as part of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC 2025), proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in June 2024 under the theme “Cooperatives build a better world.”

In his speech, the Minister emphasized the importance of cooperatives in the Mauritian agricultural sector. The MCAF, which brings together 112 sugarcane cooperatives, represents more than 5,110 members growing sugarcane on 5,000 hectares of land. In 2023, cooperative growers produced approximately 23,313 tons of sugar, contributing 10% of national production.

Ameer Meea highlighted efforts to modernize the sector, particularly through the mechanization of production. He mentioned the MCAF’s mechanization unit, which is essential to ensuring the sector’s sustainability in the face of a labor shortage. The Minister also praised the organization’s agricultural diversification initiatives, which operate 13 fertilizer outlets.

Finally, Meea encouraged other cooperatives to adopt modern strategies, prioritize community support, and actively participate in the modernization of the sector to strengthen the national economy. The official reaffirmed the government’s support for cooperatives, which are essential to agricultural resilience.